Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

German Ambassador Jurgen Engel (left) greets Carlos Valero (right), counsellor in the Colombian Embassy. Looking on is Colombian Ambassador Dr. Ventura Emilio Diaz Mejia. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

It took a few extra weeks, but the Colombian Ambassador Dr. Ventura Emilio Diaz Mejia finally got to celebrate his country's biggest day as head of mission on Tuesday evening.

The reception was originally scheduled for July 20, which is the official Independence Day (and the historical day that Simon Bolivar declared the country independent as the last great rebellion against Spanish rule began). But due to some other commitments that Ambassador Mejia had to attend to, the reception was moved to August 7. The latter date refers to the Battle of Boyaca, which even though it took place nine years after the 'Cry of Independence', is what marked the final straw in breaking Spain's hold on the country.

So with all the history, Ambassador Mejia looked to the future by telling the gathering of his country's growth. He boasted that investments made up 27 per cent of the country's gross domestic product and that foreign direct investment in the first four months of the year reached over US$3 billion. He briefly touched on the improvements in the construction and motor vehicle industries, as well as the overall growth of the economy. He ended with a patriotic, "I am so proud to be a Colombian."

Guests were treated to a delectable array of beef patties (Latino style), an assortment of hors d'oeuvres and libations including rich wines for the palate. During the mini-feast, guests viewed one of the latest videos promoting the South American country's prized assets. All the while the Jamaica Military Band performed.

Guests included: Argentine Ambassador Mario Pino, Panamanian Ambassador Ricardo Moreno, Belgian Ambassador Herman Portocarero, Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva and wife Ada, British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell and companion Dr. Barbara Munske, Ambassador Douglas Saunders, European Union delegation head, Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni, Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua and wife Xiao Linhua, Ambassador Maxine Roberts and sister Valerie, Courtenay Rattray, Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez, Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner Yvonne Gittens-Joseph, Luz Escobar, Russell Merrifield, Charles and Lisa Johnston, Peter and Velia Espeut, Gilou Bauer, Myrtle DeSulme, Igor Hevia and Marta Amador.